Advice For Choosing What Postgraduate Degree To Study
More and more people these days are choosing to go back to college and study for a postgraduate qualification. Whether it’s a specialist certificate, a master’s, or a doctoral-level program, more options are open to you than ever before. The flip side of this is that it can be trickier than ever to narrow down exactly which course you want to study. Sometimes the choice is obvious; however, for most people, it takes a bit more thought to determine which degree is the right one.
If you’re in that position, this article is here to help you choose your next educational pathway; it discusses some of the main factors you need to consider when deciding which postgraduate course to opt for. Hopefully, by the end, you’ll have some useful insights and be one step closer to enrolling!
Consider Your Career Goals
Many people choose to go back to college for a postgraduate degree in order to move ahead in their current career or make a move into a brand new one. If this is true for you, working out your specific job goals can be a useful starting point since knowing what you’re aiming for will enable you to pick a course that helps you get there.
One method to try is looking at job vacancy listings for positions you’re hoping to work in one day and seeing what educational requirements are mentioned on them. Alternatively, identify people who are currently working in the sort of role you have your eye on, and see what they studied at college – or what they advise newcomers to the industry to study. This should assist you in building up a picture of the sort of postgraduate program that will be most useful to you in your professional life.
Focus On Your Passions
Not everyone goes back to college to boost their job prospects. For some people, it’s a labor of love and a chance to spend a year or more immersed in a subject that truly interests them. If this applies to you, spend some time thinking about which topics genuinely fascinate you and you would be happy to learn about in great depth. Ask yourself what topics you read about in your spare time for fun or enjoy chatting with friends about – the answers to these questions can help you pick the right educational path.
Even if your primary reason for doing a postgraduate degree is to further your career, you still need to pick a subject that interests you. These courses require a lot of time and effort from you, and motivation is a key ingredient for success. If the topic bores you, it’s going to be much harder to maintain your focus and put in the work required to pass your course with flying colors.
Check The Curriculum Carefully
Pretty much every postgraduate program out there is unique. Even if they have the same title, they may have wildly different curriculums. For example, while undertaking a Master of History, you might have the chance to study topics ranging from the ancient Romans to medieval Europe or the American civil war. Also, some programs are highly specialized and focus on a narrow part of the broader subject area, while others offer a huge variety of modules to let you craft your own curriculum.
Check the specific curriculums of the programs that you’re considering in order to find the one that best matches your individual passions and career aspirations. You never know; you might find some that offer topics you’ve never heard about before but sound interesting!
Think About Modes Of Study
On a more practical level, you’ll also need to consider the mode of study that best suits you and then find a degree program that offers it. For instance, if you intend to work while studying, then a part-time course might be more suitable for you than a full-time one. In addition, some part-time options are specifically designed for people who have full-time careers and so only hold classes in the evenings and on weekends.
Another aspect to think about is whether you would prefer to study a course on campus or online. Both options are completely valid and highly respected, so it simply comes down to what matches your personal preferences and life circumstances. As an example, pursuing online masters programs in education can offer you greater flexibility, whereas attending classes on campus might provide a more social atmosphere in which to study.
Look At Entry Requirements
One factor that you can’t overlook is which courses you are actually eligible to take. The entry requirements will vary by college and program, so check all details carefully. Normally, you need to have an undergraduate degree in order to move on to a master’s and a master’s degree in order to move on to a Ph.D.
However, no matter the level of the program, there will be differences in the grades you must have achieved and the subjects you need to have studied. In some cases, if you have a lot of relevant work experience, certain entry requirements may be waived.
Furthermore, remember that if you have your heart set on a certain program but are not eligible for it, you might be able to retake certain exams or take a specified foundation course in order to change that.
Choose The Right College
In addition to choosing the right subject, you need to make sure that you select the right college to study at. Some questions to ask yourself include:
- Do you prefer a big campus or a small one?
- Would you rather attend college in a large city or a rural area?
- What is the reputation of the college?
- What is the culture like on campus?
- What sort of extracurriculars does the college offer?
- What are the college’s support services like?
- Does the college have good facilities (e.g., libraries and laboratories)?
- What is the student accommodation like (if you’re planning to live on campus)?
- How much are the tuition fees?
Where possible, narrow it down to a few colleges and then try and visit the campuses in person. This is the best way to get a feel for the atmosphere of an institution and see all of its facilities for yourself. If that’s not possible for you, video tours and student blogs can also be a useful window into life on campus.